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Tom's Guide
16-05-2025
- General
- Tom's Guide
Gardener reveals ‘centuries-old' hack for keeping plants hydrated in the summer
With temperatures expected to soar this summer, we're not the only ones who will need to keep hydrated. Our plants are also suffering from the extreme heat, and making sure they have enough water can be challenging during hotter weather. This is especially the case if you have a large backyard, growing veggies or simple lack the time to water. But if your yard is not properly taken care of in a heatwave, your plants will be literally parched, struggle to thrive and will end up dying. However, one gardening experts has shared a 'centuries old' method to keep your plants watered — and all you need is a simple pot. In a TikTok post, gardening enthusiast Syd Roope showed viewers how she keeps her plants hydrated using ollas — which are porous clay pots that release water slowly. 'You bury it underground, and because it's porous, it will leach out water when the soil gets really dry, and the roots will come attached to this so that I don't have to come here and water it every day." explains Roope. She then creates her own homemade version using a terracotta pot and saucer, which she buries underground and tops up with water using a hose. Then then takes us around her crops to show us where these have been buried. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The Ollas water irrigation system was first used 4,000 years ago in China, and works by simply slowly releasing water into the soil and the roots of plants. Typically, these self-watering clay pots are made with a small hole at the top of the pot and you can continue to fill it with water as needed. This 'centuries old' hack is particularly effective for plants with fibrous roots like tomatoes or courgettes, whereby the soil easily dries out — especially during heatwaves. Not only does this mean that you don't have to water daily, but it also means no water is wasted. So if you want a clever way to water your plants in a drought, try the Ollas method to keep your plants healthy and happy this summer.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
100 year old plant watering system that means you don't have to water daily
A gardener has shared an ancient watering system that helps her stay on top of her plant care in her garden - and it's an easy DIY hack to follow at home A keen gardener has shared a clever trick for keeping on top of plant care using an ancient technique. In a TikTok video from 2024, Syd Roope showcased her homemade olla, a type of porous clay pot used for slow-release irrigation. Ollas have been around for over 2,000 years, with the first recorded mention in the Fan Sheng-Chih Shu, an ancient agricultural textbook. Syd created her own DIY version using a terracotta pot and saucer, which she buries underground and fills with water. As the soil dries out, the olla releases water, reducing the need for frequent watering. Syd explained: "In the summer when it gets really, really hot, you probably have to water once, maybe twice a day when it gets to be like 110 degrees (43 degrees celsius). "But with this, you bury it underground, and because it's porous, it will leach out water when the soil gets really dry, and the roots will come attached to this so that I don't have to come here and water it every day." The hack impressed fellow gardening enthusiasts, who praised Syd for her ingenuity. Experts at Plantura have shared several benefits to using ollas in your garden, such as the reduced need for regular watering, reports the Express. They've also identified that using ollas results in less weeding since "the topsoil remains drier, weeds germinate less easily". They also suggest it's a savvy method for reducing diseases and pests, noting: "Watering with ollas keeps the plant leaves dry, eliminating moisture-loving fungal diseases such as downy mildew and late blight. Slugs also have a harder time moving over dry soil." The team at Plantura have gone one step further, offering a how-to guide for crafting your own ollas at home, helping you save on costly alternatives. How to make your own olla Glue the large opening of two unglazed clay pots together. No water should be able to escape through the join. Now glue the flat clay shard over one of the drainage holes so that no water can get through. (Alternatively, you can use mortar, silicone, a flat stone or a cork to seal the drainage hole.) Lastly, fill the homemade olla with water (using a funnel if necessary) via the unsealed drainage hole on the opposite side. The saucer serves as a lid for your homemade olla. You can also buy Olla irrigation pots online. These sell from upwards of £10. They can be bought easily online. The self-watering clay pots are particularly effective in very dry climates. That is why Spanish settlers introduced the technique to the Americas in colonial times. The technique has now made a comeback in New Mexico and the American West. Plantura is an online shop where you can buy gardening goods.
